Chapter 16 - The Coup in the Lobby
They returned at 5:02 A.M.
The front doors were open.
Guests crowded the lobby in robes and coats.
Employees stood in confused groups.
At the center of it all was Marc Dumas, the banker, flanked by two attorneys.
Sébastien stood beside him.
The red binder rested on the front desk.
Marc smiled when Elise entered.
"Ms. Morel. Perfect timing."
"You broke my lockdown."
"Your authority was suspended by an emergency board resolution."
Elise stared at Sébastien.
"What board?"
Three directors appeared on a video screen behind reception.
Marc continued.
"The company received evidence that you improperly used legacy security authority, confined guests, disrupted operations, and approved unauthorized payments through compromised credentials. Pending investigation, Mr. Morel is acting chair."
The story was complete.
They had moved faster than she expected.
Sébastien leaned close.
"You should have stayed in Paris."
Elise looked at the staff.
Mireille stood near housekeeping.
Camille at reception.
Kitchen workers.
Porters.
People who had gone unpaid while polished reports told the board everything was fine.
Elise raised her voice.
"Before anyone signs anything, ask one question."
Marc sighed. "This is not a theater."
"Where did the money go?"
No one moved.
"One point nine million in fake vendors. Thirty-seven ghost employees. Twelve million against the south bluff. Ask where it went."
Marc pointed to the attorneys.
"Remove her."
Vincent stepped in front of Elise.
The security team hesitated.
Their boss had just chosen a side.
Then Mireille walked forward and put her ledger on the desk.
"And ask why our wages were late."
Camille joined her.
"Ask why staff complaints disappeared."
A maintenance worker stepped forward.
Then another.
Within seconds, half the lobby stood behind Elise.
Sébastien's face changed.
Not because Elise had power.
Because the employees had stopped being afraid.
May you like
Then Luc Renard entered carrying a small black case.
"Before you suspend Founder authority," he said, "you may want to know who actually owns the emergency vote."
